Forty Eight

Raven

A swarm of tiny butterflies erupted in my stomach when Vlad insisted I come to say hi to his dad. Vlad seemed to find it funny. He broke into an airy laugh and encircled me in his arms.

"Come on, darling. I'm not leading you to the slaughterhouse. It's just my dad. I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you."

My breath solidified in my throat, making me break into a cold sweat and Vlad's amusement irked me. What the hell was wrong with him?

I gave him a blank look, folding my hands. "You find this funny? Why in the name of all that is sacred should I introduce myself to your dad?"

Amusement flushed through his face."Because he's my dad."

Thinking about how the fires of hell would stoke the hate in my dad's heart when he finds out about my relationship with Vlad made my heart clink with a bang. He'd skin me alive and throw my body to the dogs.

"You find this funny?"

"Of course not," he gathered me into his arms, placing my head on his chest and kissing my forehead. "I'm laug